Playing Our Song at Kaew’s Thai Villa

We all dance to a different drummer — and that goes for hungry Dining Out readers as well. Not to sound like a broken record, but the trick for restaurateurs to keep business humming along is to meet or exceed customers’ expectations by tuning in to their dietary preferences.

“We understand people who don’t eat meat,” replies Kaew Anuttsara, owner-chef of Kaew’s Thai Villa, when asked if there are any meatand fish-free options on the menu.

She’s playing our song.

Her menu touts “Healthy Thai Food,” which means using only the freshest ingredients, light oil and no MSG. Anuttsara’s commitment is apparent, as she offers brown rice, which is cooked up fresh every day, and she sings the praises of “a very healthy rice noodle” in her soups (but, alas, uses chicken broth).

But stay tuned, because there’s so much more than soup here.

Customers get in the swing of ordering at Kaew’s Thai Villa by first, of course, deciding on a dish, then choosing among vegetables and tofu, chicken, pork, beef or shrimp for protein. Anuttsara recommends her Green Curry, noting that it’s a highly popular dish in general and especially with vegetarians. The curry, served with Thai jasmine or brown rice (add 50 cents for sticky rice), can be ordered mild, medium or hot, and, in this case, includes sliced tofu marinated in green curry sauce made with non-sweetened coconut milk, as well as kaffir lime leaf, basil, peas and eggplant. Since the tofu option comes with more vegetables, those can be included as well.

So this Green Curry is not only packed with flavor, but it’s good for you, too. And at $7 for lunch, $8 for dinner, you’re getting it for a song.